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 Balancing Family and Building a Business
Finding Joy in Building a Small Business By: Ashley Laine
Building a small business is hard enough by itself yet when you though family dynamics into the equation now you have a serious test on your hands that most small business owners fail miserably. Keep in mind that you are out of your comfort zone anyways and then you through all of the responsibilities that come along with being a spouse and parent and you have a predicament on your hands. So how do you balance these two items that seem on the surface to be about as compatible as oil and water? Well I think back to what I read on the cooking channel and if you are going to add oil to water then it is best to do it slowly while mixing thoroughly.
 So you might say, thanks for the cooking lesson but what does this have to do with business? Quite a bit, actually, if you are going to start a home based business, unless you are without employment like I was and do not have a choice, you should build it slowly at first. Work your way into it and test the waters. Build your client base while you still have the security of your job. Yes, you will loose some sleep but it will be worth it. Loosing a bit of sleep so you keep you family happy and yourself fulfilled is the best investment you will ever make. Get your family involved to an extent that they can be or have the ability to be. Allow them to feel that they are doing their part and reward them accordingly. You might find that the time you spend working with your kids is rewarding and fun for all of you. Schedule specific time to spend with your spouse or significant other as the case might be as well as each of your children separately and together as a family apart from work. Keep the stress of building the business out of your family interaction. A lot of hugs and kisses helps here. Take time out of your schedule to create memories with your family because you could create a business and at the end of the day loose the reason why you where doing it in the first place. Make your family part of your dream and you will be closer to them and you will find true fulfillment.
Ashley Laine |
